How does it work?
This unique project gives you the opportunity to buy a native New Zealand tree, historically indigenous to Kaikoura, which is then planted for you on specially set-aside reserve land within the Kaikoura region.
A recent study reported that for Kaikoura to become a carbon
neutral community, two-million trees would need to be planted!
Along with other recycling and waste reduction initiatives,
the T4T programme will endeavour to play its part helping
Kaikoura reach its zero waste target...
but only with your help...
We offer two sizes:
Small = Kaikoura native bush, shrub or flax, cultivated for one/two seasons
LARGE = Kaikoura native tree, cultivated for at least two (usually three) seasons
Kaikoura native species include: Totara, Rimu, Mountain Beech, Akeake, Cabbage Trees and Ngaio (there are around forty in our list, which is supplied and maintained by the NZ Department of Conservation (DOC).
PLANTING - Trees are usually planted between May and November each year (except when its frosty). Summer months (December to April) are usually too hot and dry for new plantings! Once planted, you will be notified by e-card email, and can check your trees progress by keying in your unique tree number, and in future you could always visit and see your tree in person.
GPS - Global Positioning System - your emailed e-card will include the planting site's GPS location (or the specific tree location, if you selected the GPS option during your purchase). The GPS location, together with a suitable GPS device, will help you find your tree if/when you or your relatives return to New Zealand in the future.
PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT - The T4T programme works with specially selected Kaikoura land owners to select suitable land; monitor all planting sites to ensure the land owner is upholding their responsibilities & to check tree health, etc.
LAND - It is unlikely the T4T programme will ever be a land owner. It is crucial to the programme that the land used fulfils some important criteria = our trees must never be harvested (except through pre-agreed site maintenance); the land must never be developed; cattle/animal grazing must not be possible or permitted; suitable access must be provided; following tree planting, the land owner provides appropriate weeding & land maintenance; if the land is sold, the T4T agreement must be included within the sale contract.
MAINTENANCE - each site/tree will receive up to three years site and tree maintenance (after three years, trees should be large and strong enough to survive without maintenance).
DEAD TREES - despite our best efforts, a small percentage of trees succumb to disease, predators, or the weather, etc. The T4T programme will perform one replacement of a dead or diseased tree within the first year of planting. You'll appreciate, the T4T programme doesn't have the resources or funds to replace trees any more than this! In some extreme situations & circumstances, certain tree 'registrations' may be moved following site problems, eg: severe landslide, which has already happened!)
This project is managed by Innovative Waste Kaikoura, a not for profit organisation working in Kaikoura’s community to achieve zero waste and improve the districts environmental impact, for more information on Innovative Waste Kaikoura click here. You can also visit http://www.sustainability.govt.nz/ for more information about recycling in NZ and some great tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle!
